Pubdate: Sat, 15 Dec 2007
Source: Bahama Journal, The (Bahamas)
Copyright: 2007sJones Communications Ltd.
Contact: http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=136
Website: http://www.jonesbahamas.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4387
Author: Juan McCartney

DRUG PRODUCTION UNABATED

The unabated production of cocaine, marijuana and  synthetic drugs 
mean The Bahamas and the US must  maintain their resolve in the fight 
against illicit  drug trafficking, according to Deputy Prime Minister 
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette.

The unabated production of cocaine, marijuana and  synthetic drugs 
mean The Bahamas and the US must  maintain their resolve in the fight 
against illicit  drug trafficking, according to Deputy Prime Minister 
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette.

Citing the latest Inter-American Drug Abuse Control  Commission 
(CICAD) report, Mr. Symonette's comments  came at the opening of the 
Bahamas-US Joint Drug Task  Force meeting on Friday.

The meeting marks the first time Mr. Symonette and  newly appointed 
US Ambassador Ned Siegel will  participate in the talks, which came 
days after CARICOM  and US Department of State officials met in 
Nassau to discuss the enhancement of measures to combat illicit  arms 
trafficking.

Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said at  CARICOM-US 
meeting that arms trafficking is linked to  drug trafficking and 
migrant smuggling.

Due to the growing concern, according to Mr. Symonette,  migrant 
smuggling has now been added to the task  force's mandate.

Ambassador Siegel also spoke at the opening of the meeting.

He lauded the efforts of Operation Bahamas Turks and  Caicos (OPBAT) 
and reiterated the US commitment to  ensuring that it remains a success.

"The United States government is therefore committed to  assisting 
with the development and deployment of  inter-operable communications 
equipment. The DEA (Drug  Enforcement Agency) will be providing new 
state-of-the-art communications equipment for the OPBAT  operations 
centre here in Nassau," he said.

"This equipment along with State Department-funded  equipment should 
allow for real-time communication  between OPBAT's assets, the Royal 
Bahamas Defence Force  and the Turks and Caicos' Police Marine Division."

Mr. Siegel also shed some light on the recent  tri-lateral meeting in 
the Turks and Caicos between  that country, The Bahamas, and the United States.

At that meeting officials migrant smuggling and  narcotics 
trafficking. He said the meetings resulted in  a series of 
tri-lateral measures officials hope will  enhance border control.

"We agreed to the real-time exchange of information and  intelligence 
concerning drug and migrant trafficking,  as well as for other 
threats to the region," he said.

"We agreed to continue to provide assistance to Haiti  and to 
continue to provide legitimate trade with Haiti,  while tightening 
measures to prevent illegal  activities. We established a task force 
with members from all three governments that will meet regularly 
to  create protocol for real-time exchange of information."

Mr. Siegel said the three countries agreed to meet  again on New 
Providence in three months to establish a  regular dialogue, with 
hope of one day include the  governments of Haiti and the Dominican 
Republic in the  discussions.

Mr. Siegel added that the Turks and Caicos will  purchase a 
state-of-the-art radar system, capable of  tracking Haitian vessels 
as they travel through its  waters.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom